IR Scans Arc Flash PPE?
Hello,
I am relatively new to NFPA 70E so please bare with me..
I work in a manufacturing facility, had our maintenance supervisor question on the need to wear the full ARC Flash PPE (baklava, etc.) for IR scans with our insurance company. I reviewed NFPA 70E trying to find more guidance on this, but I can't seem to figure it out.
Some electrician threads online have mixed results for this question. Our maintenance supervisor explained that in the past the maintenance tech accompanying the IR scanner wears their standard FR clothing gear, but that they just remove the panel and stay outside the limited approach distance while the scanner does their thing. Since they aren't actually "working" on electrical components they don't don the baklava, hearing protection, etc. My concern is that I would consider the task of removing a panel to fall under "live work" but on the other hand I understand where they are coming from.
What is your experience with IR thermal scanning and how do you manage that operation? Are they in the wrong for how its been done in the past?
Thank you,
Comments (1)
If they're removing panels, then they're exposing energized conductors. If there are exposed energized conductors, then you have to wear PPE if you're inside the arc flash boundary and/or the shock boundaries. The level of arc-rated PPE is dependent upon how close you are from the exposed conductors.
If you refer to NFPA 70E Table 130.5(C), it says IR thermography OUTSIDE the restricted approach boundary and WITHOUT removing covers/guards is not likely to cause an arc flash, so arc flash protection isn't needed. However, as mentioned above, since they're removing the covers/guards, then that exception no longer qualifies and they'd have a potential for an arc flash to occur, therefore triggering the need for arc-rated PPE.